Trace-end supporter.



PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

1). ML ALLEN. TRACE END SUPPORTER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

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WITNESSES:

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Patented April 26, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID M. ALLEN, OF URBANA, ILLINOIS.

TRACE-END SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 758,495, dated April 26, 1904.

Application filed November 28, 1902- Serial No. 132,977. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, DAVID M. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Urbana, in the county of Champaign and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in Trace-End Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention consists in an improved construction of supports for the ends of traces, particularly of traces of that heavy character used as a part of a harness for heavy work which cannot be easily doubled or tied out of the way. Said support is formed for attachment to the harness and adapted to be located at the juncture of the hip and back straps in a convenient-position for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure -1 is a top or plan view of my improved support with sections of the harness-straps attached thereto and showing the ends of a pair of traces in the position they occupy when supported thereby; Fig. 2, a horizontal section as seen when looking downwardly from the dotted line 2 2 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 a transverse section as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows from the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the casing of the support, B the spring-catches, and C the trace ends.

The casing A consists of a suitable casing having suitable slots or openings around its edge for the attachment of the back-strap 1,

the crupperstrap 2, and the hip-straps 3 and- 4 of the harness. It is provided with a bottom plate or portion A, on which is supported a spring a, the opposite ends of which bear against the under side of the spring-hooks and normally hold them upwardly into close relation with the top plate a of the casing.

The spring-hooks B are pivoted on crossbars a on each side of the casing and have upwardly-tapered top faces terminating in suitable hook-shaped points for the engagement of the trace ends. Arms I) extend to one side of the hook, the arm of one hook extending rearward and the arm of the other hook extending forward to one side of the hook and the trace end, which will be engaged thereby, to a convenient position for serving as a handle by which the hook may be pressed down against the spring a to disengage the said hook from said trace end. Each of said arms 6 preferably terminates in aknob or other conveniently-formed handle 6 for the purpose ofa handle or button to press upon.

In use when the horse is unhitched each trace end is simply inserted through one of the apertures or slots in the appropriate side of the casing A over the tapered top surface of the hook B. As soon as the said trace end passes over the point of the said hook the spring a operates to throw the hook upwardly in front of said trace end and secure it in position. When they are to be used, they are disengaged by pressing down the hooks through the handles 6 and arms I). Said trace ends are thus held when not in use in a posi-.

tion where they will be entirely removed from danger of injury by dragging in the dirt or under the feet of the horses and are so supported that'they may be quickly and conveniently disengaged from the supporting device when desired.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A trace-end supporter comprising a casing formed to be attached to the harness parts on the back of the harness and having side openings with spring-mounted catches pivoted therein, each of said catches being formed with upwardly-tapered top surfaces from its pivot to its engaging point and with an arm extending off to one side from said engaging point to a convenient position for use in operating said catch against the spring, substantially as set forth.

2. A trace-end supporter comprising the casing A having a transverse part a and provided with openings in its sides and formed to be attached to the back of the harness, the

bottom plate A, the spring a mounted on said plate, the spring-hooks B pivoted on each side of said casing and formed with upward ly-ta- In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Urbana, Illinois, this 21st pered tops adapted to rest near the transverse day of November, A. D. 1902. part a of said casing, and the handles 6 extending to one side of said hooks for operating the same against the spring, substantially as set forth.

DAVID M. ALLEN. Witnesses:

WM. HESHAW, L. E. GAILEY. 

